Winter preps begin

Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry B.Batzorig instructed all state agencies and organizations to boost preparations for winter and spring on Tuesday.

Accordingly, agencies engaged in agriculture have started early winter preparations to complete harvesting on time, take preventive measures for likely disasters and unfavorable weather conditions, and reduce potential risks and loss during the winter of 2018-2019.

The government approved Resolution No.218 on Some Measures to Ensure Agricultural Preparations for Winter and Spring 2018-2019 on July 4. In relation to the resolution, Minister B.Batzorig released guidelines for provincial and district mayors, Ulaanbaatar Food and Agriculture Department, General Veterinary, and herders.

Wintering prep is very important for Mongolia as it determines if livestock can survive the dzud, extreme weather conditions experienced during the winter. Most underprepared herders face significant loss after their livestock starve or freeze to death during the winter.

Last winter, 141 of 330 soums and the capital suffered from dzud conditions and temperatures approaching -50 degrees Celsius continued through February. Thousands of livestock were lost nationwide in the dzud caused by a prolonged period of severe dry weather between mid-May and end of July, which was intensified by extreme high temperatures in June and damaged large patches of cropped areas.

The ministry is partnering with all agricultural agencies and organizations to minimize risks by intensifying preparation work for the upcoming winter.